ABC Keystone Installs 2026 Leadership at Inaugural and Annual Meeting
Associated Builders and Contractors Keystone Chapter (ABC Keystone) held its 2026 Inaugural and Annual Meeting on Friday at the Yorktowne Hotel, York, Pa., officially installing the chapter’s 2026 Executive Committee and Board of Directors.
Steven Kearns, vice president of technology at James Craft & Son, Inc., was installed as 2026 chair of the board. Construction has been a constant throughout Kearns’ life. Raised in a family-owned mechanical contracting business, he spent his high school and college summers working in sheet metal and prefabrication shops and assisting on jobsites before joining the company full time in 2008.
Kearns has worked across nearly every phase of a construction project. He began his career in field roles as a helper and later served as a purchasing agent and estimator, gaining experience in preconstruction planning and coordination. He is a member of his company’s management group, where he focuses on implementing new technologies and training teams to improve efficiency and performance across commercial, industrial and health care projects.
“With experience in both the field and the front office, Steven brings a broad, practical perspective to this role,” said ABC Keystone President-CEO Dave Sload. “As chair, he is committed to strengthening the merit shop philosophy, advancing workforce development and supporting the long-term success of the construction industry.”
Thomas “Murph” Murphy, 2026 chair of the board for ABC National, administered the oath of office to ABC Keystone’s 2026 Executive Committee and Board of Directors. The board works with the executive team to set the chapter’s strategic direction, ensure operational efficiency and maintain alignment with its mission. Board members also appoint committee members and trustees.
During the program, Guy Kingree III, project executive at Benchmark Construction Co., Inc. and outgoing 2025 chair of the board, presented the 2026 Chair Award to Aimée Deraco, president and CEO of Brubaker. The Chair Award is not presented annually and is awarded at the discretion of the past chair to recognize exceptional service.
Deraco was recognized for perfect attendance at board meetings; introducing 15 prospective members and converting eight into new members; becoming a Beam Club member within eight months; attending 13 ABC Keystone events; leading 92 Brubaker team engagements at events and trainings; serving as a contributing presenter for the ESOP Seminar; engaging with the STEP and CORE programs; and leveraging social media to recruit new members and highlight the value of ABC Keystone membership.
Kingree also presented ABC Keystone’s Special Recognition Award to Veronica Morrison of McNees Wallace & Nurick LLC for her leadership and impact. Morrison was recognized for chairing the chapter’s new Total Human Health Committee, which introduced education and training focused on suicide prevention and mental health; leading the chapter’s successful legal effort against the Department of General Services project labor agreement; and continuing to help strategize efforts to fight PLAs.
The meeting celebrated member leadership, service and ABC Keystone’s continued commitment to free enterprise, workforce development and the advancement of the construction industry.
2026 EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
Chair of the Board Steven Kearns, James Craft & Son, Inc.
Chair-Elect Ed Engle, Smucker Company
1st Vice Chair Jeff Witmer, Pathway Business Advisors
2nd Vice Chair Robb Beiler, Wohlsen Construction Company
Secretary Aimée Deraco, Brubaker
Treasurer Timothy A. Kershner, CPA, Walz Group
Immediate Past Chair Guy Kingree, III, Benchmark Construction Co., Inc.
2026 BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Jeff Albright, High Construction Company
Corbin Beittel, Warfel Construction Company
Jeff Bright, Offit Kurman
Kevin Eshleman, SLC Excavating, LLC
Michael L. Fiore, Leonard S. Fiore, Inc.
Brian Floyd, MPB Insurance & Risk Management
Ken Funk, Arthur Funk & Sons, Inc.
John H. Hykes, II, B&B Integrations
Anthony Leer, Leer Electric, Inc.
Michael Metz-Topodas, Saul Ewing LLP
Patrick Snyder, Peoples Security Bank & Trust
Lee L. Summers, Jr., C Mechanical Services
Stephanie Titus, Keystruct Construction, A Vicocity Company
Kevin VanPelt, S&T Bank
Jan L. Wagner, Wagman Construction, Inc.